Good news, Vikings fans. Matt Cassel looked pretty good in the first half of Saturday’s game against the Cardinals.
Bad news, Vikings fans. The starting defense couldn’t keep the No. 2 Arizona offense out of the end zone.
Cassel played well in five first-half drives, completing 12 of 16 passes for 153 yards and a 51-yard catch-and-run to tight end Kyle Rudolph. Cassel added 30 yards on the ground, including a 26-yard scramble.
After four plays and a punt to start the game, Cassel led the Vikings to a field goal, a touchdown, a missed field goal, and a field goal.
Rookie Teddy Bridgewater will get a chance to show what he can do with the No. 2 offense in the second half. Bridgewater will have to do a lot of good things to keep up with Cassel in the race to be the Week One starter.
The defense allowed a touchdown to the Arizona starting offense and the No. 2 unit. Rookie linebacker Anthony Barr registered a sack and a forced fumble (recovered by Arizona) to end the half.